SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2021
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Vaccines reach Harrison County, cases up again By JD LONG
jim@harrisonnewsherald.com
CADIZ – Harrison County is still getting hit with not only high COVID cases being registered but another death was registered as well, taking the total count to 12 in the county. Harrison County Health Administrator Garen Rhome stated this week after finishing up the year’s last commissioner’s meeting held on Tuesday, that total COVID cases, as of Tuesday stood at 663. This makes an
additional 64 cases as of last Wednesday when Rhome reported 599. He also said he had a slew of additional cases reported on this Wednesday but couldn’t provide the exact amount, which will more than likely put the weekly count into triple digits for the second consecutive week. The presumed recovered number for this week is now at 447, that is up from last week’s 396. Active cases, though, are up just 12 to 204 after last week’s reported 192. The vaccines have been rolled out and began on Monday, Rhome said. EMS
and services like the County Home experienced it first for this Phase 1-A, which were over 20. Rhome said as they move through these next few months other “products” could enter the stream such as Astra Zeneca for example but for now, the contract with Moderna and Pfizer is what’s being delivered and available. Rhome also reminded that they are not charging an administration fee for the vaccines or the insurance companies, though he couldn’t speak for other counties. He also said his office is receiving many calls from
people inquiring about the vaccine and when other people could receive it. He said that would be included in Phase 1-B and the calls from people wanting the vaccine are far outnumbering people who do not want it, he said. Gov. DeWine stated earlier this month that more than 98,000 doses were shipped to seven hospitals and those numbers have increased. An additional 123,000 Pfizer doses were administered last week and another 201,900 Moderna vaccinations as well. This week DeWine announced
another 148,000 Pfizer and 89,000 Moderna vaccines were to be distributed this past week. For the fatality ratio, the worldwide number sits at 2.1 percent, which is higher than the U.S. at 1.7 percent. For Ohio, that number remained at 1.2 percent and Pennsylvania also remained at 2.4 percent. West Virginia as well, remained the same at 1.5 percent. Where these numbers seemed to be falling heading into Thanksgiving weekend have now leveled off and have failed to drop for several weeks now.
Harrison County approved for $265,000 in funds At the Nov. 17 Cadiz council meeting Treasurer Amy Ossman and Mayor John Migliore discussed the possibility of Cadiz receiving funds for a new stage at Sally Buffalo Park. That Thursday meeting is when state legislators were to vote on the capital bill with the local funding attached to House Bill 310, according to Don Jones-R, District 95 Representative. Migliore did not know at the time if the bill had passed but Jones confirmed that information this week. But Sally Buffalo Park, which is to receive $140,000, isn’t the only recipient in the county. Scio’s Barr Memorial Gymnasium parking lot is slated to receive $125,000 of the total $265,000 in state funding, Jones said. “The bill was slimmed down quite a bit this year,” Jones explained. “Not everyone got what they wanted.” He added that he didn’t even think there would be this house bill to even vote on but last week they came through. Director of Puskarich Public Library System Sandi Thompson said that there weren’t any sufficient handicapped parking spaces at Barr Memorial and these funds will help fix that problem. Mark Puskarich, Blues For a Cure organizer, talked this week of all the possibilities that are opening up for the park project. He said it would likely come in several stages with the actual stage being the first thing built then hopefully a backstage and bathrooms. He said they are looking at the field on the opposite end of Wallace Lodge, which would give the public more area to spread out. Puskarich said the total cost for everything in mind was around $350,000 but this recent state funding along with a $50,000 donation from the Harrison County Visitor’s Bureau and other donations, would be enough to build the stage. “Lots of things can be done to make it better but we think we’ve got enough to begin,” the actual stage he said. Puskarich also said they will have to wait on the process on how to actually secure the funds then the project will have to be put
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Ribbon cut on Jewett’s Brightside Junction Paul Prevot gave a short speech that turned a little emotional just before the ribbon cutting on his Brightside Junction Marathon service station in Jewett Tuesday morning. A council member, Prevot said the business had been about a year in the making with his wife Bobbie. He thanked the local support he received and the crowd, which was a nice turnout on a cold morning. Food, coffee, sandwiches and beer will be available in an area that was much needed for this kind of business. All are Prevot’s, which include (left to right): Kyle, Ashley, Kelsey, Bobbie and Paul. Young Leah did the honors by cutting the ribbon.
Conotton Valley BoE discusses Rocket Center pool By JACQUIE HUMPHREY NH Correspondent
SHERRODSVILLE - At the December meeting of the Conotton Valley Board of Education, the discussion of re-adding a swimming pool to the design of the eagerly anticipated Rocket Center was revisited by the Board when members of the community were present at the meeting to discuss to possibility. The proposed swimming pools were removed from the design earlier in the year as concerns about decreased future funding came to light. After more consideration the Board is contemplating adding one, multi-function pool back on
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to the design of the Rocket Center that is currently under construction. Former school board president Phil Gooding attended the meeting to address this possibility with the Board. Gooding said he felt it is difficult to get a true reading as to who will actually utilize a swimming pool but in conversations that he has had with community members, he has gotten a very positive response to the idea. Gooding said that felt that the Rocket Center is an attractive prospect to people who are contemplating moving to the area, and in light of the pandemic he feels that more people are looking to relocate into rural areas.
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Gooding told that Board that if maintenance funding became an issue in the future, the space could always be repurposed into classrooms. Gooding said that he applauds their (the School Board) efforts for taking this project on and believes that they are doing a very good job. Bowerston resident, and volunteer fire department member, Derek Warner was also present to speak to the Board about the possibility of having a swimming pool locally. Warner said that he was very excited about the prospect of a swimming pool at the Rocket Center, as Bowerston’s volunteer fire department has a water rescue team and a pool would be an
optimal place for the divers to practice. Warner further said that he feels that the cardio exercise from swimming is very effective and he believes that Conotton students, as well as general community members, would benefit from having a pool available. No action was taken at this time. In other discussion, Superintendent Todd Herman reported that the Conotton Valley area Share-A-Christmas had raised in excess of $20,000 this year and thanked School Board member Debbie Carrothers for her efforts towards this project. Herman said that 30 area families, with 75 children, were assisted this year. Herman also discussed with the Board
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OBiTUARiES
SPORTS Lana Brooks Beall Cadiz, Ohio
Beatrice Tipton Jewett, Ohio
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David Werdebaugh Cadiz, Ohio
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tentative dates for having students return to the classrooms. Herman said that he is looking at Jan.11 for staff to return and then bringing students back on Jan. 19. Herman noted that the situation with Covid is fluid, and firm dates to return to on-campus learning will be released at a later date. Other Action: - For the November financial report heard approved expenditures totaling $2,017,562.65, general fund balance of $250,000 in Unified Bank with mutual fund balances of $3,181,356.73 in Unified and $4,558,261.71 in Star Ohio. The
Charles Wenner Sr. Cadiz, Ohio
Christine Vich Cadiz, Ohio
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